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MT joins recall of products from Massachusetts pharmacy

Posted: Oct 17, 2012 9:59 PM by MTN News
Updated: Oct 17, 2012 10:01 PM

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Montana health officials are joining their counterparts across the country in a federal recall of all products associated with a multi-state fungal meningitis outbreak.

The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, along with public health agencies and private clinics in Montana, are supporting the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's recall of all products from the New England Compounding Center (NECC).

The recall is part of the multi-state fungal meningitis outbreak that is being investigated by the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the FDA.

While there is no indication that contaminated products came to Montana, all products from NECC were recently recalled due to the outbreak.

There have been no reports of related illnesses or incidents in any Montana resident at this time.

To help ensure public health authorities and federal regulators become aware of any additional problems, healthcare providers who injected patients with any product from NECC are asked to notify these recipients and determine if any complications are present.

Pain reduction medications produced by NECC have been linked to 233 cases of fungal meningitis in 15 states, resulting in 15 deaths to date, according to the CDC.

CBS News reports that nearly all the victims had received steroid injections for back pain, but officials have noted many people may have received the injections for pain in other joints, such as their ankles, knees, hips or shoulders.

Symptoms of meningitis may include a new or worsening headache, dizziness, fever, nausea, and sensitivity to light. A number of people who became ill also had symptoms of stroke, such as weakness or difficulty with speech. Most of the illnesses are being reported one to four weeks after the injection was received.

Health officials say that this form of meningitis is not contagious.

Read more about the outbreak at CBSNews.com.

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